OSHA Expands Hazards List, Nursing Homes to Face Tougher Scrutiny

A new key hazard list from OSHA will lead to nursing homes facing tougher scrutiny. The expanded hazards include musculosketal disorders related to resident handling, workplace violence, bloodborne pathogens, tuberculosis and slips, trips and falls.

OSHA stated the goal of the expanded list is to reduce overexposure to these hazards through a combination of enforcement, compliance assistance and outreach. About half of all injuries to nursing home workers involve preventable musculoskeletal disorders that are often caused by movements used to lift, reposition and transfer residents. These disorders can include conditions such as tendonitis, muscle strains and lower back injuries.

To avoid unnecessary manual handling, OSHA said nursing homes must:

• Make sure they have an adequate number of lifts, assistive devices and accessories for each resident requiring a lift 
• Ensure they  have enough charged batteries to power the assistive devices throughout an entire shift 

To read the memo, click here.

Fourth of July Order Cutoff Reminder

With the Independence Day holiday approaching, we want to remind you that ProMed will be closed on Friday, July 3. Orders placed after noon on Monday, June 29 will be delivered by Thursday, July 2. Orders placed after noon on June 29 will be delivered the week of July 6.

Please call our Customer Care Team at 800.648.5190 with any questions or concerns.

Create a Festive Summer “Fruit Cake”

Are you looking for a Fourth of July treat that’s healthier than the standard cookies or cupcakes? This “fruit cake” is sure to be a hit and your residents will enjoy helping you put it together!

Ingredients

• 1 whole seedless watermelon (try to find one that isn’t too bumpy) 
• 1 bunch red or green grapes, or a mixture of both 
• Other assorted fruits of your choice, such as strawberries, star fruit, cantaloupe or pineapple. These will be used to “decorate” your cake, so purchase as many or as few as you like. Avoid fruits with seeds or pits, such as cherries, unless you plan to remove the seeds before serving.

Other items needed

• Serrated knife
• Large spoon or melon baller
• Serving platter
• Toothpicks
• Cookie cutters (optional)

Assembly

1. Wash all fruit.
2. Use a large serrated knife to cut off the ends of the watermelon. Place the melon on a flat surface and carefully trim off the rind. Use your knife to carve the watermelon into a rough cake shape. Don't worry about it being perfect – the other fruits will help hide lumps and bumps.
3. Using your spoon or melon baller, create a small indented “well” on the top of the watermelon. This will help keep fruit from rolling off the top of the cake.
4. Place the watermelon on a serving platter.
5. Begin decorating by placing grapes around the bottom and top of the watermelon to imitate piped frosting. Secure the grapes with toothpicks where needed.
6. Now it’s time to get creative with the other fruit! If you have cookie cutters on hand, you might enjoy cutting the fruit into fun and festive shapes, such as stars (of course, if you picked up star fruit, you simply need to slice it to get the start shape). If you don’t have cookie cutters, slices and squares are just as tasty. You can also use your melon baller to create round shapes.
7. Once you have the fruit cut up, use the toothpicks to affix it to the sides of the cake in the pattern of your choice.
8. Finish by placing fruit in the well you created on the top of the watermelon.
9. Refrigerate until ready to serve, then cut and serve just like you would a regular cake. Be sure to warn residents about the toothpicks to avoid a choking hazard, or remove them before serving.

Congratulations, Joe Green!

Congratulations to ProMed Regional Sales Manager Joe Green and his wife, Christina, on the birth of their daughter! Norah Marie Green arrived on June 20 and weighed in at 7 pounds, 20 inches. Congratulations to the Green family!

Proposed House Budget Eliminates AHRQ

If the House Appropriations Committee's proposed FY 2016 Health & Human Services budget passes, the Agency for Health Research and Quality will be no more.

The AHRQ, which currently receives $465 million funding, is tasked with developing evidence-based care and health information technology. If the budget plan passes, the agency's duties would be split up among other HHS programs.

To learn more, click here.

Equip Your Facility for Bariatric Residents

Obesity has been rapidly increasing in the United States over the past two decades. Beyond being a major health concern, obesity can also have implications for how your facility provides care.  According to the most current data from the CDC, 35.4 percent of adults over the age of 60 are obese. (To be considered obese, an adult needs to have a body mass index, or BMI, of 30 or higher.)

The increasing number of obese seniors is leading to facilities bringing in new, specially designed equipment because standard-sized products might not be able to accommodate residents with bariatric proportions. Fortunately, manufacturers are in tune with the rise in obesity and have developed products with this population in mind.

ProMed’s comprehensive Bariatric Equipment & Accessories product category was designed to help you meet the special needs of this group. We offer:

• Beds and accessories
• Commodes and shower chairs
• Mattresses, including dynamic air and foam 
• Lifts and slings
• Wheelchairs and recliners 
• Scales

Our highly trained territory managers are ready to help you address your facility’s specific bariatric product needs. To connect with us, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com. Click here to view our bariatric product lineup.

FDA Gives Food Manufacturers Three Years to Ditch Trans Fats

The FDA has given food manufacturers three years to remove partially hydrogenated oils (or PHOs) from products. PHOs are the primary dietary source of artificial trans fat in processed foods. The agency noted in their press release that PHOs are not generally recognized as safe for use in human food.

The agency anticipates this action will reduce coronary heart disease and prevent thousands of fatal heart attacks every year.

Since 2006, when the FDA began requiring manufacturers to include trans fat content on the Nutrition Facts food label, trans fat consumption has decreased by about 78 percent. However, the amount still being consumed remains a concern.

The three-year compliance period will allow manufacturers to either reformulate their food products without PHOs and/or petition the FDA to permit specific uses of PHOs. After the compliance period has expired, no PHOs can be added to human food unless doing so is approved by the FDA.

To read the FDA's press release, click here.

ProMed Has Your Personal Care Solutions

There’s no need to run to a drugstore to get the products your residents count on for daily personal care and grooming. ProMed’s complete suite of personal care items has everything you need! Just like everything else ProMed offers, you can be confident that these products will deliver best-in-class performance at a great value.

We offer:

• Dispenser and refill systems for shampoo and body wash
• Bathing products, including shampoo, body wash, rinse-free shower caps and premoistened washcloths
• Grooming accessories, such as razors, shaving cream, hairbrushes and combs, deodorant, nail care tools and body powder
• Female hygiene products, including sanitary pads in multiple styles and absorbencies
• Oral care essentials, such as toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrushes, oral swabs, lip balm, floss and denture care and storage solutions

To learn more about our personal care product line, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

Study: Environmental Stimuli Reduce Apathy in Residents with Dementia

A new study has found that residents with dementia are less likely to experience apathy when the long-term care facilities where they reside provide strong environmental stimulation.

According to the researcher, roughly 90 percent of residents with dementia experience apathy. As a result, they are less likely to socialize with other residents or engage in everyday activities. Studies have linked apathy to a swifter decline in residents with dementia.

The researcher was able to conclude that residents were less likely to experience apathy at facilities that provided clear and strong stimuli in areas such as ambiance, lights, sounds and staff familiarity with residents. Residents showed greater apathy at facilities that were either less stimulating or overwhelming.

To learn more, click here.

Prevention through Education

One of ProMed's greatest strengths is educating customers on the use of our products. Our all-shift in- service presentations and exclusive in-service guides help your staff become comfortable with the best-in-class products available exclusively from ProMed. The in-service guides are also perfect additions to your orientation packets!

Customized in-servicing is available for a wide variety of products, including diabetic care, incontinence care, enteral nutrition, skin care, wound care, ostomy care, syringes and sharps, pill crushing and more!

During a ProMed in-service, our knowledgeable reps will:

• Bring in product samples to show your staff
• Explain why a product change is being made
• Demonstrate use of the product
• Discuss any relevant industry and regulatory information
• Ask key questions to ensure everyone understands correct product usage
• Ask your team to complete In-Service Evaluation forms so that we can use your feedback to make our programming as valuable as possible
• Follow up to ensure a smooth transition

We hope that you will allow your staff to get to know us as your facility's medical supply distributor and encourage them to come to us if they have a question or concern. We want to be your trusted advisors!

Click here to download the In-Service Request Form!

Study: 2.5 Million More LTC Workers Needed by 2030

Young people pondering their career choices would be wise to take a look at long-term care. According to a new study out of the University of California at San Francisco, at least 2.5 million more LTC workers will be needed within 15 years to keep up with the aging population. 

By 2030, roughly 20 percent of Americans will be 65 years or older. Of those, the researchers believe about 19 million will require long-term care. This figure is more than double the 8 million adults who needed care in 2000. To arrive at this figure, the researchers analyzed LTC usage trends according to resident age, gender and race. 

The LTC careers that are expected to grow the most by 2030 include counselors, social workers, community and social service workers and home health and personal care aides. 

To learn more, click here. 

Nursing Home Offers Opportunity for Children, Residents to Learn from Each Other

Sometimes the things that we stumble across on the Internet warm our hearts. This video, for example. It's the trailer for a documentary titled Present Perfect, which addresses aging in America - both in terms of growing up and growing old.

The film is based on the experiences of those enrolled in the Intergenerational Learning Center at Providence Mount St. Vincent in Seattle. "The Mount," as it is known, is home to more than 400 older adults and those who need some extra help. The 125 infants and young children enrolled in the Intergenerational Learning Center, a licensed child care center open to the community and Mount St. Vincent employees, are given the opportunity five days a week to interact with Mount residents in planned activities such as music, art and storytelling,

Check out the video above - and then let us know who you think is learning more!

To learn more about Providence Mount St. Vincent, click here.

Understanding Ostomy Surgeries

Ostomy surgery is performed when, for medical reasons, a person is not able to urinate or move their bowels normally. While these surgeries can ultimately help residents live more independent lives and enjoy improved health, they can also be daunting. It’s crucial that caregivers at your facility understand the different types of ostomy surgery and how to provide optimal care to affected residents.

During ostomy surgery, an opening called a stoma is created in the abdomen. Depending on the situation, a stoma can be either temporary or permanent. There are three primary types of ostomy surgery: colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy.

A colostomy is created out of the end of the large intestine, or colon. Colostomies divert waste from the digestive system. People who have had colostomy surgery pass waste through a stoma on the abdomen, the location of which is determined by which part of the colon is damaged.

During an ileostomy surgery, a stoma is created in the small intestine, or ileum. Because the ileum contains digestive enzymes and acids, extra care needs to be taken to protect the skin from irritation. People who undergo colostomy or ileostomy surgery will need to use collection pouches following the procedure because they will no longer have voluntary control of their bowel movements.

Urostomy surgery helps urine flow from the body after a diseased or damaged portion of the urinary tract is removed. Following the surgery, a pouch or collection device collects urine as it is produced. These devices have a drainage tap on the bottom of them that allows urine to be emptied throughout the day.

Professional Medical’s exclusive Compliance Continuing Education program offers a number of courses to help your staff understand ostomy care, including product selection, skin management and caring for the resident post-surgery. To learn more about this program, which covers more than 20 wide-ranging categories and is appropriate for the majority of your nursing staff, contact your ProMed Territory Manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

CDC: Individuals, Communities Should Take Steps to Halt Melanoma

According to the CDC, melanoma (deadly skin cancer) rates have doubled over the last 30 years. The good news is that comprehensive protection programs could prevent 20 percent of new cases between 2020 and 2030.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S., and melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, leading to more than 9,000 deaths per year. More than 90 percent of melanoma skin cancers are caused by skin cell damage from UV radiation exposure. Over the past three decades, melanoma rates have skyrocketed from 11.2 per 100,000 people in 1982 to 22.7 per 100,000 people in 2011.

To help halt this trend, the CDC is recommending both individual and community prevention efforts.

Individuals should:

• Wear a hat and clothes that cover the skin while outdoors
• Seek out shade, especially in the middle of the day, when rays are most intense 
• Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen 

Additionally, the CDC is encouraging communities to: 

• Increase shade on playgrounds, at public pools and in other public spaces
• Promote sun protection in recreational areas
• Encourage employers, childcare centers, schools and college to provide education on sun safety and skin protection
• Restrict the availability and use of indoor tanning by minors 

To learn more, click here.

Four Reasons to Eat Your Veggies

Just in case you need more reasons to dig into this summer's abundant vegetables, check out the following four ways that they can lead to a healthier you!

1. They fight bloat. Veggies contain a lot of fiber, which helps flush waste and gastric irritants out of the body. Fiber also helps prevent constipation by keeping the digestive tract moving. 
2. They hydrate the skin and help fight wrinkles. Many veggies are 85 percent to 95 percent water. They also contain phytonutrients and vitamin C, which can help prevent premature aging. 
3. They reduce stress. Vegetables contain key nutrients, including magnesium and vitamin C, that are quickly depleted during stressful times. They also contain tension-reducing omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins to help fight depression and anxiety. 
4. They protect your bones. Like dairy foods, vegetables contain high levels of calcium and vitamin D. Some veggies also contain bone-builders such as vitamin K, magnesium, potassium and prebiotic fiber. 

To learn more, click here. 

OIG: $1.8 Billion in Recoveries So Far in FY2015

In the first six months of fiscal year 2015, the Office of the Inspector General, or OIG, has recovered $1.8 billion from healthcare providers and programs, the agency reported in their "Semiannual Report to Congress."

Other report highlights include:

• Of the funds recovered, $142 million were related to non-HHS matters, resulting from work in Medicaid restoration
• 486 reports of criminal actions against individuals who took part in crimes against HHS 
• 326 civil actions, including false claims, against healthcare providers
• 1,735 exclusions involving healthcare providers 
• Charges against 69 individuals or organizations, plus $163 million in recoveries, through OIG's partnership with StrikeForce, Medicare fraud teams that identify and prosecute fraud 

To learn more, click here.

CMS: States Must Screen High-Risk Medicaid Providers

According to new guidance from CMS, states have until the end of July to begin screening high-risk Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) providers.

These screenings would involve fingerprint-based criminal background checks and would occur after a state Medicaid agency has been deemed high risk, or susceptible to improper payments. Providers considered high risk by Medicare are also be considered high risk by state Medicaid agencies. Background checks must be completed by June 1, 2016.

Those who would be required to undergo background checks include the high-risk provider as well as anyone with a 5 percent or more direct or indirect ownership interest in the provider.

To read the guidance, click here.

Equipping You with Quality

Our new Featured Equipment Solutions catalog is hot off the press! Ask your Territory Manager for a copy today to learn more about the high-quality pieces available from ProMed, including:

• Mobility aids
• Beds, furnishings and lifts
• Bath systems
• Mattresses and support surfaces
• Respiratory units
• Enteral delivery systems
• Fall prevention and safety items
• Clinical and diagnostic tools

If you’re in the market for furniture and don’t see exactly what you want in our catalog, reach out to your territory manager to learn more about our custom solutions! Our team will work with you to design products that meet your specifications and match your décor. We partner with the most respected furniture manufacturers in the industry and you can rest assured that you’ll get what you want at a competitive price. Click here to see pictures of our happy furniture customers on Facebook (and be sure to “like” our page while you’re there)!

Ready to learn more? Contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

Fourth of July Closure Notice

Professional Medical will be closed Friday, July 3 in honor of Independence Day. Orders placed after noon on Monday, June 29 will be delivered by Thursday, July 2. Orders placed after noon on June 29 will be delivered the week of July 6.

Please call our Customer Care Team at 800.648.5190 with any questions or concerns.

We wish you and yours a safe and happy Fourth of July!